Control valve mechanism for material tanks



CONTROL VALVE MECHANISM FOR MATERIAL TANKS Filed July 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 Feb. 2, 1937. J. M. MITCHELL CONTROL VALVE MECHANISM FOR MATERIAL TANKS Filed July 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES CONTROL VALVE MECHANISM FOR MATERIAL TANKS James Macdonald Mitchell, Old Lyme, Conn.

Application July 14, 1934, Serial No. 735,271

16 Claims.

This invention relates to tanks or containers adapted to receivematerials of difierent density having a valved port controlling the feed to or the discharge of materials from the tank. The

: object of the invention is to provide control mechanism for the port valve dependent in operation upon the accumulation of heavier materials which settle downwardly in the tank, and it is the purpose of the invention to provide mechanism of such character which is relatively simple but extremely efficient in operation.

While not necessarily limited to any particular purpose, the proposed control mechanism 'is particularly adapted to'use in apparatus for settling solid materials out of liquids. The arrangement proposed is'such that it may be employed in the settling of various grades of materials, and it is particularly useful in settling apparatus used in the recovery of fine materials.

According to the invention a member is mounted in the tank for movement in a definite path and so arranged that the accumulation of heavier materials in the bottom of the tank impedes or stops the movement of the member. Actuating means is provided to move the member in its path which becomes inoperative when movement of the member is resisted by the accumulation of the heavier materials. Retardation or stoppage of the member acts through suitable mechanism to actuate the material port valve, which in the case of a settling apparatus will be located in the bottom portion of the tank and serve to discharge the accumulation of settled materials.

The member in the tank whose movement is affected by the accumulation of settled materials may be considered as the control mechanism responsible for the actuation of the port valve. However, in certain embodiments of the invention, as will hereafter become apparent, the member retardable by the settled materials may function primarily as a brake or stop mechanism for other mechanism located outside of the tank, in which case retardation or stoppage of the latter mechanism will be employed to control the tank port valve.

The member mounted for movement in a 'path in the tank to be acted upon by the accumulation of materials therein and the actuating mechanism therefor may take a variety of forms, and the actuating mechanism immediately operating the tank valve will be dependent in construction upon the specific arrangement adopted. In some cases the valve actuating mechanism may be op erated directly from the movable member in the tank, while in other instancesthe-valve operate ing mechanism will be controlled through the actuating mechanism which moves the tank member through its path. I have in theaccompanying drawings illustrated one-embodiment of the invention together with certain collateral i features thereof, but it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific construction and arrangement ofparts therein shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a'view in vertical section of a settling apparatus with one form of-my invention applied thereto; a

Fig. 2 is a view of the same apparatus taken at right angles to the view of Figure-1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view;

Fig s.-4 and 5 are alternative arrangements providing additional features of construction which may be employed in connection with the assembly of Figures 1 to 3 as auxiliary control mechanism, and which'may also be used in substitution for certain operative parts of such assembly.

The tank or container III may be of any desired shape .andsize. Theparticular form-shown is intended as a settling'tanlnin which case the material port Valve, II, I2, Whose operation is controlled by the inventive structure, will be positioned at the lower end of the tank and serve to discharge solid materials from liquid in which they are carried in suspension into the tank through the inlet I3. l

The tank Valve and mounting therefor is unimportant, as various'arrangements may be resorted to in connection with the novel control mechanism to be described. In the embodiment illustrated the valve I2 is supported on a pivoted counter-balanced arm I4 actuatable through an arm I5. The control mechanism maybe connected mechanically with the arm I5, but I now prefer to arrangethe control mechanism to operate through an electrical circuit and a solenoid I6.

The novel control mechanism includes amemher I! mounted for movement in the tank in a fixed path and so arranged as-to be retarded in its movement by settled materials as the level thereof rises in the tank. Means are provided to move the member through its path and arrangement is made whereby the retardation of the member is caused either directly or indirectly to actuate the port valve I2. The member I!- may conveniently take the form of. a pivotally supported arm. In the form shown the same is suspended in a vertical position in the tank from a supporting bar I8. In order that the member I! be effectually acted upon by thesettled'materials the same should take the form of a paddle, or at least as is shown include a portion l9 presenting an appreciable surface to be impinged upon by the settled materials.

The member I? will be moved or oscillated through a reciprocatory path by actuating mechanism, and as the level of settled material rises in the tank the movement of the member will be impeded or obstructed. Of course, a variety of different devices may be employed to effect the desired reciprocation of member I! and so arranged as to become inoperative when movement of. the member is obstructed by the settled materials.. In 7 the embodiment of the shown the actuating mechanism constitutes a balanced receiver pivotally supported at point 2| above the tank by a suitable bracket 22. Such V balanced receiver-is a substantially conventional diamond box having opposing compartments to which liquid is supplied from a pipe 23. liquid supply pipe'is arranged in operative position above the receiver 20 sothat one compartment fills, tips the receiver to bring the other compartment under the supply pipe and discharges'conveniently into the tank. The other compartment in turn is filled to tip the receiver and then discharge, and the cycle iscontinuously' repeated to produce in the receiver an oscillatory movement. Buffers 24 may be provided to stop themovement at each end of its path. 'By providing a valve in the supply pipe 23 the period required to fill the compartments of the balanced receiver 20 may be regulated at will and the oscillatory movement thereof adjustably determined.

V The reciprocatingmember I! has an upward extension and is connected to the diamond box through a pin 25 so as to be rocked back and forth as the diamond box oscillates. The path of movement of the active portion IQ of the arm II will be determined by the length ofthe arm and the relative positions of its pivot support l8 and its point of connection with the actuating mechanism just described. It will be evident that as the settled materials rise in the tank they will close in on the active portion of the reciprocating member I! to restrict the same in its path of movementand inmost cases completely stop the same. Since the diamond box employed to actuate the member is weight-operated through the liquid received from the supply pipe 23, the connection 25 of the member with the diamond box 20 will cause movement of the latter to be retarded or stopped. It will therefore be evident that the retardation in movement of the member I! may directly be employed to operate the port valve or, alternatively, the cessation in movement of the actuating mechanism, the diamond box, may similarly be used. The latter arrangement is used in the embodiment of the drawings, arrangement being made whereby stoppage of the diamond box will cause liquid to be discharged therefrom, such discharge in turn operating through suitable mechanism to actuate the port valve l2. i

The arrangement just mentioned may be carried out as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The corresponding compartments 25 and 2'! of the diamondbox are provided with similar overflow outlets 28 and 29, so located as to be above the nor- ,mallevel of liquid when one of the compartments invention The and hence the reciprooatory movement of the member I! is intermittent. Thus, the settled materials accumulating in the bottom of the tank will gradually build up to a point where, while one of the compartments is being filled, movement of the member I! and of the diamond box will be obstructed. Under such conditions, the

compartment of the box under the liquid supply pipe will continue to fill and cause the discharge of liquid through one of the outlet pipes 28 or 29.

Adjacent the diamond box is mounted a balanced arm 30 pivotally supported onthe bracket 22. Such arm is provided with a receptacle 3| operatively positioned to receive the discharge from one of the diamond box compartments under the conditions just mentioned. Such receptacle as it becomes filled will cause the member 30 to swing on its pivot. On the opposing arm of the member 30 is located a mercury switch 32 which will be closed as the receptacle 3| swings the member on its pivot. The switch 32 is located in the supply line for the solenoid l6, and as the circuit isclosed the solenoid will be' energized to operate the tank discharge valve l2. 1 7

When the valve I2is opened the accumulated settled materials will be discharged. A small out-l let 33 is providedin thereceptacle 3| *to' discharge the liquid therefrom and allow the arm 30 1 to swing back and open the solenoid switch 32. The valve l2 will then close,.and since the discharge of settled material frees the reciprocating arm 11, such arm together with the diamond box actuating mechanism will be again ready for operation.

It will be appreciated that the intermittent 7 tard the settling of the lighter materials. The

speed of movement of the member I! may, as above indicated, be adjustably controlled by regulating the flow of liquid toithe diamond box 20. The size of the diamond box can also be varied so as to increase or decrease the timeeach compartment requires to be filled, and of course the period required for filling will determine the length of time the reciprocating member I! is at rest at each end of its path of movement.

If difiiculty is encountered in the arrangement described due to stopping of the member I! at an intermediate portion of its path so as to prevent liquid from the diamond box compartments being discharged into the receptacle 3|, it may be desirable to provide a plurality of discharge valves and separate control mechanisms therefor at different portions of the tank. However, positive measures may be taken to overcome the difliculty by-providing other mechanism incorporating a time control means which will become operative when the reciprocating member I! has been stopped for a designated time: period, no matter what position in its path the member 11 occupies when the accumulated materials fill in to block the same.

. Several possible arrangements operative independent of the point of stoppage of the member I! are shown in Figures 4 and 5, the same being shown as applied to a construction'wherein the actuating mechanism for the member I! constitutes the diamond box 20. In such arrangethe solenoid and open the tank port valve.

ing the time interval when the diamond box is mentsa supply circuit to the solenoid 'lB-will include a series of switches which will be simultaneously closed whenthe reciprocating member I! is at intermediate portions of its path of movement. Included in the circuit will be a time relay so arranged that if the reciprocating member is stopped by the accumulated materials the several switches will close, and after a shortinterval the time relay will operate to complete the circuit, energize the solenoid and open the port valve l2.

As applied to the diamond box actuating mechanism previously described, the solenoid circuit will include a pair of switches 35 and 35 arranged in a circuit with a time relay 36, all as shown in Figure 4. Such switches will be mounted on freely swinging pendulums 31 and 38 pivotally supported at the opposing endsof the diamond box 251. When either end-oi the diamond box is up for the filling of a compartment with liquid, the corresponding switch will be held horizontal by its pendulum support, and both of the switches will be 'maintained horizontal during movement of the diamond box through its oscillatory path. As long as the switches are maintained horizontal the portion of the circuit betweenthem will be maintained closed, but the solenoid circuit will not be completed until the time relay 35 becomes operative. Hence, the quick movement of the diamond box from one end of its path to the other is not effective to complete the circuit, and it is only when the accumulation of settled material stops the box at an intermediate point that the time relay will become effective in cooperation with the pendulum. switches to energize Dun at one or the other end of its path for the filling of one of its compartments arrangement is made to tilt one of the switches 34 or 35 so that the circuit will not be closed even though the time relay should become operative. In Figure 4 members 39 and 413 are provided in association with the end stops to alternately engage the pendulum supports 37 and 38 to tilt the switches and thereby insure an open circuit during the filling of each diamond box compartment. Of course, it is only necessary to open one of the switches 34 and 35 at each end of the diamond box path and it is immaterial which one is opened during the filling of the right and the filling of the left compartments of the box.

In the arrangement of Figure 5 a further and somewhat simplified arrangement is shown. In this case stationary switches 4| and 42 are substituted for the pendulum switches 3 S and 35 carried by the diamond box in Figure 4. Such switches are of the lever actuated type having arms 43 and A l adapted to be depressed by the diamond box to open the solenoid circuit as the diamond box reaches first one end and then the other of its oscillatory path. To engage the respective switch arms 53 and 44 coacting pins 45 and 46 may be associated with the ends of the box. Either of the arrangements just described may be employed in an auxiliary control circuit additional to the main actuating mechanism comprising elements Sll through 33 of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2. It will be evident, however, that the arrangements of Figure 4 or 5 may be used alone as the main control circuit for the valve solenoid.

Since the invention may be applied to a variety of uses and the essential features thereof embodied in forms differing from the details of construction herein illustrated and described, it

willbe understood that the scope of the inventionis to be determined in the light of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. In a settling tank, a valved discharge for settled materials, a member movable intermittently in a fixed path in the tank and arranged to have its movement arrested by settled mate.

rials as the level thereof rises in the tank, periodically operative actuating means to move the member through its path, and means rendered operable by the stopping of the movable member to open the valved discharge.

2. In a settling tank, a valved discharge for settled materials, a member mounted for recip rocatory movement in the tank and arranged to be stopped from movement by the building up of settled materials, actuating means to reciprocate said member, and means operable through stoppage of the member to open the valved discharge.

3. In a settling tank, a valved discharge for settled materials, an oscillating arm in the tank arranged to be rendered inoperative by settled materials as the level thereof rises in the tank,

and means becoming operative through the stopping of said arm to open the valved discharge.

4. In a settling tank, a valved discharge for settled materials, an arm mounted for reciprocatory movement in the tank and arranged to have its movement impeded by materials settled in the tank, means to reciprocate said arm, and means operable as the level of settled materials rises in the tank to impede the movement of the arm to open the valved discharge.

5. The combination of a fluid container adapted to receive materials of varying density, a valved material port in the container, a member having periodic reciprocatory movement through a fixed path in the container and arranged'to be acted upon by heavier materials settling in the bottom of the container, and means operative through obstruction of the periodically reciprocating member to actuate the port valve.

6. In a settling tank, a valved port, a member mounted for reciprocatory movement in the tank through a path in a vertical plane and arranged to have its movement impeded by heavier settled materials as the level thereof rises in the tank, means for moving said member in its path, and means responsive to the obstruction of the movable member by settled materials to operate the port valve.

'7 In a tank for receiving materials of varying density, mounted reciprocatory arm in the tank arranged to be impeded in its movement by the rise in level in the tank of heavier denser materials, means for reciprocating the arm on its pivot, and means becoming operative through obstruction in movement of the arm to operate the port valve.

8. In a settling tank, a valved discharge for settled materials, a pivotally mounted paddle, means to reciprocate the paddle, said paddle pro- ,iecting down from its pivot into the tank to be obstructed in its movement by the rise in level of settled materials, and means operable through obstruction or" the paddle to operate the valved discharge.

9. In a settling tank, a valved discharge for settled materials, a member movable in a fixed path in the tank and arranged to have its movement obstructed by settled materials as the level thereof rises in the tank, a reciprocatory mem ber connecting with said movable member so as a valved material port, a pivotally l to be stopped from movement when the movable member is obstructed, and means operable through the stopping of the reciprocatory member for operating the discharge valve.

10. In a settling tank, .a valved discharge, a member mounted for movement in a path in the tank and arranged to be impeded in its move-- ment by settled materials as the level thereof tion of the receiver, and means controlled by the balanced receiver for operating the port valve.

12. In a settling tank, a valved discharge, a

balanced oscillating receiver, a liquid supply for oscillating the receiver, a reciprocatory member connecting with and actuatable by the receiver arranged to be retarded in its movement by settled materials as the level thereof rises in the tank, and means responsive to retardation in movement of the reciprocatory member to actuate the valved discharge.

13. In a settling tank, a valved discharge, a balanced oscillating receiver having a pivotal support, compartments in the receiver arranged on opposite sides of the pivotal support, a liquid supply arranged in operative relation to the receiver to feed liquid alternately to the several compartments therein and cause the receiver to oscillate, a reciprocating member in the tank oscillating with the receiver, said member con meeting with the receiver and being arranged to be retarded by settled materials as the level thereof rises in the tank to stop oscillation of the receiver, overflow outlets in the compartments of the receiver operative when movement of the receiver is stopped to discharge liquid received from the liquid source, and means actuatable by the discharge of liquid from the compartment overflow outlets to actuate the tank discharge valve.

14. In a settling tank, a valved material port,

' on opposite sides of the pivotal support, a source of liquid operatively positioned to supply liquid a member reciprocating in a fixed path in the alternately to the several compartments of. the

receiver to oscillate the same in its path, means in the tank connecting with the receiver and acted upon by settled materials to stop movement of the receiver, outlet means in the several compartments of the receiver arranged to discharge liquid therefrom when the receiver is stopped at certain points in its oscillatory path together with means actuatable by said discharged liquid to operate thetank port valve, and time controlled additional means operative to actuate the tank port valve when the receiver is stopped at intermediate other points in its oscillatory path.

16. In a settling tank, a valved discharge for into the tank, a horizontal pivot supporting the arm, means for reciprocating. the arm tov cause its lower portion to swing back and forth across the tank, a paddle secured to and movable with the lower portion of the arm, said paddle being adapted to be obstructed by the rise in settled settled materials, anarm extending downwardly materials in the tank and operating to stop movement of the arm, and means operative through the stoppage of the arm to open the'valved discharge.

JAMES MACDONALD MITCHELL. 

